How to reconcile the hadith “The first three…” with the fact that disbelievers do not see their Lord?
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Question:
Three people are brought on the Day of Resurrection… One says: “O my Lord, I fought in Your cause…” So how is it that disbelievers do not see their Lord on the Day of Resurrection?
Answer:
The Lord speaks; the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Speech does not necessarily imply seeing; seeing is one thing, and speech is another. So He speaks to all of creation, but only the believers see Him.
Three people are brought on the Day of Resurrection: a mujahid, a reciter, and a giver of charity. It is said to the scholar: “For what did you learn knowledge and recite the Qur’an?” He says: “I recited the Qur’an for You and learned knowledge for You.” Allah says to him: “You lied.” The angels say: “You lied. But you learned so that it would be said: ‘He is a scholar,’ and you recited so that it would be said: ‘He is a reciter.’ You did not learn for Allah, nor did you recite for Allah.” He is ordered to be dragged into the Fire on his face—may Allah grant us safety.
The mujahid is brought and it is said to him: “For what did you strive in jihad?” He says: “I was commanded to do jihad, and I strove in Your cause.” He says: “You lied.” The angels say to him: “You lied. But you strove so that it would be said: ‘He is bold,’ meaning he is brave.” He is ordered to be dragged into the Fire on his face—may Allah grant us safety.
The one who gave charity with his wealth is brought, and it is said to him: “For what did you give charity?” He says: “I was commanded to give charity in Your cause, so I did not leave any cause You love for spending in it without spending in it.” He says: “You lied.” The angels say: “You lied. But you gave charity so that it would be said: ‘He is generous,’ meaning it is said that he is munificent. It was not for Allah, but to show off to people so that they would praise him and speak well of him.” He is ordered to be sent to the Fire—may Allah grant us safety.
This means being wary of showing off in worship and working for other than Allah. You read what Allah the Exalted said: [Surat al-Ma’un: 4-7]. He said: “Woe to them.” Woe means a reference to the severity of the punishment—may we seek refuge in Allah.
Three people are brought on the Day of Resurrection… One says: “O my Lord, I fought in Your cause…” So how is it that disbelievers do not see their Lord on the Day of Resurrection?
Answer:
The Lord speaks; the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
None of you is there but that his Lord will speak to him, with no interpreter between them. He will look to his right and see nothing but what he has sent before him. He will look to his left and see nothing but what he has sent before him. He will look straight ahead and see nothing but the Fire. So fear the Fire, even if it is with half a date.
ما منكم من أحد إلا سيكلمه ربه، ليس بينه وبينه ترجمان، فينظر عن يمينه؛ فلا يرى إلا ما قدم، وينظر عن شماله؛ فلا يرى إلا ما قدم، وينظر تلقاء وجهه؛ فلا يرى إلا النار، فاتقوا النار ولو بشق تمرةThree people are brought on the Day of Resurrection: a mujahid, a reciter, and a giver of charity. It is said to the scholar: “For what did you learn knowledge and recite the Qur’an?” He says: “I recited the Qur’an for You and learned knowledge for You.” Allah says to him: “You lied.” The angels say: “You lied. But you learned so that it would be said: ‘He is a scholar,’ and you recited so that it would be said: ‘He is a reciter.’ You did not learn for Allah, nor did you recite for Allah.” He is ordered to be dragged into the Fire on his face—may Allah grant us safety.
The mujahid is brought and it is said to him: “For what did you strive in jihad?” He says: “I was commanded to do jihad, and I strove in Your cause.” He says: “You lied.” The angels say to him: “You lied. But you strove so that it would be said: ‘He is bold,’ meaning he is brave.” He is ordered to be dragged into the Fire on his face—may Allah grant us safety.
The one who gave charity with his wealth is brought, and it is said to him: “For what did you give charity?” He says: “I was commanded to give charity in Your cause, so I did not leave any cause You love for spending in it without spending in it.” He says: “You lied.” The angels say: “You lied. But you gave charity so that it would be said: ‘He is generous,’ meaning it is said that he is munificent. It was not for Allah, but to show off to people so that they would praise him and speak well of him.” He is ordered to be sent to the Fire—may Allah grant us safety.
This means being wary of showing off in worship and working for other than Allah. You read what Allah the Exalted said:
(4) So woe to those who pray (5) [But] who are heedless of their prayer - (6) Those who make show [of their deeds] (7) And withhold [simple] assistance.
فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَ وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.